OpenAI has signed a new partnership with the UK government to expand AI security research and explore investment in the region’s AI infrastructure, including data centres.

The partnership will examine the potential use of AI in areas such as justice, defence and security, and education, with OpenAI sharing technical information with the UK Institute for AI Security to deepen the government's understanding of AI capabilities and security risks.

OpenAI also confirmed plans to increase the size of its London office, expanding its research lab and engineering teams as part of the new agreement.

OpenAI said it may also seek to invest in and support “AI growth areas”, regions designated to become hubs for AI infrastructure and innovation under the government’s AI Opportunity Action Plan. The strategy outlines plans to harness AI for national growth, innovation and transformation of public services.

The government has invested £2 billion as part of the Plan, including £1 billion in sovereign computing capacity and £750 million for a supercomputer in Edinburgh. £500 million has been allocated for sovereign AI, which will be spent on supporting national AI developers and partnering with world-leading companies such as OpenAI.

Technology secretary Peter Kyle emphasised how AI will be “fundamental” in driving change across the UK, including in fixing the NHS, breaking down barriers to opportunity, and driving economic growth.

He added that this change cannot be achieved without companies such as OpenAI.

“This partnership will see more of their work taking place in the UK, creating high-paid tech jobs, driving investment in infrastructure, and crucially giving our country agency over how this world-changing technology moves forward,” he added.

OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, praised the current government’s leadership: “Britain has a strong legacy of scientific leadership, and its government was one of the first to recognise the potential of AI through its AI Opportunities Action Plan.”

He added: “In addition to supporting infrastructure plans laid out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, OpenAI may also explore developing state-of-the-art, AI-enabled R&D infrastructure in the UK, focused on shared areas of strategic interest with the UK government.”

Commenting on the expansion of the London-based research lab, Altman added: “The AI lab could also work with government to identify how advanced AI models could help to improve the public services that millions of people use every day, and driving economic growth across the country.”

The move comes after Nvidia announced a collaboration with the UK government to boost AI capabilities in the country last month.

The collaboration followed the government announcement of a new £187 million national skills programme to equip young people and workers across the UK with cutting-edge AI and digital skills.

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